Originally posted by subz
Or is "moderate" simply code for "on our side". He's a son of a bitch, but he's OUR son of a bitch, to quote FDR.
This has been true through administration after administration concerning Saudi Arabia, although they have never been a “true friend” to the
United States.
Most of the arms sales from last year, and it appears the same this as proposed year, are for upgrades and small expansion of ground forces for Saudi
Arabia. “Weapon sales” encompasses parts, upgrades, lease extensions, communications…basically anything sold for military use…including what
was cited in the article “air conditioner” refits for older version of the M1A1…could you imagine no AC in the Sinai!
Last year it was upgrades to Saudi guard units with communications systems, APC’s, small arms, aircraft parts and I forget the rest (I was watching
MOT and ITT at the time)…contracts for the two combined were a hair less than US$1.0 billion.
…anyway, its part of a broader Saudi modernization program established before 2003 which is still continuing; I don’t agree with it; but
understand the reasoning portions of the strategic reasoning.
mg
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